Year in Review - Biggest Stories of the Year #4

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Year in Review - Biggest Stories of the Year #4

The biggest sports story of the year is undoubtedly that the Icelandic men’s football team qualified for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. It was the first time Iceland qualifies for the World Cup, and in doing so, Iceland became the smallest nation ever to qualify for the World Cup. The feat would have been unthinkable just a few years ago, as Iceland was ranked 131st in the world in 2012.

The #metoo movement inspired Björk to detail her experience of sexual harassment by Danish director Lars von Trier. Björk was repeatedly harassed by von Trier on the set of the award-winning film Dancer in the Dark, in which she had a leading role.

Seismic activity in the Bárðarbunga area had the world on alert, as the volcano threatened to erupt. Statements from the Icelandic Meteorological Office stated that the danger was most likely overstated and blown up by foreign media. Experts continued to survey the area closely.

An ice caldera in Öræfajökull volcano emerged due to increased geothermal activity in the area. The Icelandic Meteorological Office issued a yellow warning as experts believe the volcano underneath the glacier might be showing signs of increased activity.

An air mechanics strike affected Icelandair flights to and from Iceland as travellers were stranded all over the world. This affected all those travellers looking to enjoy Iceland during the Christmas holidays and on New Year’s Eve. The strike was eventually resolved after a negotiation.

The eighth and final season of the popular television series Game of Thrones will be partially filmed in Iceland. The filming will commence in February 2018 and is projected to last until the summer. Game of Thrones has previously chosen Iceland as a film location.